Italian for Business and Communication: Research Methodology and Creation of a Syllabus.

Iandoli, Louis J.

This paper discusses the development and content of a third-year Italian course entitled "Italian for Business and Communication," taught at Bentley College in Waltham, Massachusetts. Since there are few texts that focus on business Italian, the instructor conducted on-site research at three Italian companies in Milan. Observations and interviews were conducted at a cleaning supplies wholesale distributorship and two banks. Relevant materials, such as forms, advertisements, and other written communication were collected and formed the basis of handouts for students in the course. Through a combination of lectures, readings, and handouts, students analyze how companies function on a day-to-day basis. Individual modules focus on simulated business meetings, banking services, advertising, business correspondence, curriculum vita, and interviewing techniques. (MDM)